Pediatric endocrinology is a specialized field of medicine dedicated to diagnosing and treating hormone-related disorders in children.
Pediatric endocrinology is a specialized field of medicine dedicated to diagnosing and treating hormone-related disorders in children. Endocrine disorders in children can affect a child’s growth, development, metabolism, or even mood and energy levels.
Pediatric endocrinologists play an important role in ensuring the health and well-being of your child. This specific field manages conditions like pediatric diabetes, thyroid disorders, growth abnormalities, puberty-related changes, or bone health issues.
Pediatric endocrinology departments at hospitals cover many different diseases or disorders. Your doctor can work with other departments as well to manage the disease appropriately. Some of the children’s endocrine diseases are summarized below:
Type 1 diabetes in children exhibits symptoms such as increased thirst, frequent urination, hunger, weight loss, and fatigue. Recognizing these signs of childhood diabetes is crucial for timely intervention.
Your pediatric endocrinologist measures blood sugar levels, A1C tests, and sometimes autoantibodies tests to confirm type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune disease in children. After diagnosis and signs of diabetes in children, your doctor creates a special treatment plan, including:
Hypoglycemia is a disease indicating low blood sugar. This low blood sugar in children condition can affect children of all ages and pose a significant concern for their health and well-being. The causes of hypoglycemia in children may include:
If your child exhibits symptoms such as shakiness, sweating, fatigue, irritability, pale skin, seizures, or unconsciousness, After evaluating the symptoms, your pediatric endocrinology doctor performs several tests, such as monitoring blood sugar levels, fasting tests, or hormone level checks.
During the treatment of hypoglycemia children are provided with a fast-acting source of glucose, such as fruit juice, candy, or glucose tablets. For long-term management, especially in children with diabetes, adjustments to medication, diet, and monitoring routines may be necessary to prevent future episodes.
Growth hormone disorders symptoms in children include slower or faster growth rates compared to peers. The hormonal disorders in children lead to short stature or excessively tall height. However, it is important to consider genetics as well.
Genetic metabolic disorder in children can be diagnosed through growth charts, bone age assessments, and hormone tests to evaluate hormone levels.
Children’s metabolic disorders can be treated with hormone therapy. During the treatment, your child may need to take daily or weekly injections.
Thyroid problems in children may consist of symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, and altered growth rates, depending on whether they have hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
After your first appointment with your pediatric endocrinology specialist, your doctor will perform thyroid function tests to measure thyroid hormone levels and thyroid stimulation hormone (TSH) in the blood.
Children’s thyroid issues can be treated with:
Adrenal insufficiency in children occurs when the adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, cannot produce sufficient amounts of crucial hormones. Symptoms of adrenal disorder may include weight changes, muscle weakness, and fatigue. Conditions like congenital adrenal hyperplasia present early in life with a salt imbalance and ambiguous genitalia.
After the initial consultation, your pediatric endocrinology doctor performs urine tests to measure hormone levels, imaging studies, and genetic testing for specific conditions like congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
According to the diagnosis, your doctor may start a special treatment, including hormone replacement therapy or medications to manage symptoms and hormone levels.
Pituitary gland insufficiency in children can be diagnosed and treated at pediatric endocrinology departments. This is a condition where the pituitary gland does not produce enough of one or more of its hormones.
Children with pituitary gland insufficiency may show various signs depending on which hormones are deficient. Common symptoms include stunted growth, delayed puberty, fatigue, and low blood sugar levels. In infants, symptoms might manifest as hypoglycemia or jaundice.
Your peds endocrinology doctor may perform blood tests, MRI scans, and stimulation tests to assess gland function. After diagnosis, a special treatment plan focusing on replacing the deficient hormones starts. The treatment may involve hormone replacement therapies, such as growth hormone, thyroid hormone, or corticosteroids, tailored to the specific needs of the child.
Pediatric endocrinology treatment plans involve lifestyle changes. Because if you would like to promote the treatment, you should follow the practical lifestyle changes shared below:
If you do not know where to start, our clinic in Turkey may offer you a treatment plan involving accommodation, treatment by highly experienced doctors, aftercare, and many other advantages.
Endocrinology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the study and treatment of the endocrine system and its disorders, such as diabetes, thyroid diseases, and hormonal imbalances. An endocrinologist, on the other hand, is a medical professional specializing in endocrinology, equipped with the expertise to diagnose and treat conditions affecting your hormonal health.
Type 1 diabetes stands as the most prevalent endocrine disorder affecting children, impacting their body's ability to produce insulin. Symptoms to watch for include increased thirst, frequent urination, hunger, weight loss, and fatigue.
Based on the signs of diabetes in children, your doctor may perform blood tests like the glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test to diagnose the disease. Lastly, treatment options encompass insulin therapy, dietary adjustments, and regular physical activity to manage blood sugar levels effectively.
Pediatric endocrinology focuses on diagnosing and treating hormone-related disorders in children and adolescents, including issues with growth, puberty, and metabolism. Pediatric endocrinologists work to restore hormonal balance and promote optimal growth and development in young patients through personalized treatment plans and ongoing care.
